Ice cube pan structure



' ICE CUBE PAN STRUCTURE May 9, 1933.

Filed Oct. 8, 1928 INVENTOR.

Patented May 9, 1933 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE EDWIN P. COBIBEIT, O1OOLUIBUSfOHIQ, ASSIaNOB OF ONE-FOURTH TO v\FIIILILK D- BELL, OFCQLUMBUS, OHIO ICE CUBE PAN STRUCTURE My invention relates to an icecube pan structure. It pertains, particularly to a device in which wateris adapted to be disposed preparatory to the formation of ice 5 cubes,although 1t is not limited thereto. For instance, the device might beemployed with equal success in operations wherein liquids are solidifiedby other than a freez-l thereof ma 'be seen in the accompanyin inoperation.

.n devices-of this type used at the present time, a shallow metal pan ortray is used in combination with a latticed or rid member adapted to beinserted into the pan or tra series of individual compartments. Thelatticed member is usually constructed of a plurality of metal stripsthat are assembled in such relation as to form the series'ofv individualcompartments.

While my invent-ion ma be successfully used in the operation of soidifying various liquids, I have hereinafter described the invention asbeing particularlfy adapted to the formation of a plurality 0 ice cubes.My invention contemplates the provision of a 1i uid container soconstructed that the ice on es may be removed from the individualcompartments by the application of a temperature increasing agent to thewalls of the cups instead of by direct contact between the temperatureincreasing agent and the ice cubes. q

My invention also contemplates the provision of a liquid containingdevice wherestructed that, on the application of a tem-' peratureincreasing medium to the walls of the individual compartments and theresultant loosening of the ice cubesin the compartments, the ice cubeswill, in a minimum length of time, break contact with the walls of thecompartments.

Further, my invention contemplates the provision of a second pan or traywhich may take the form of a lid or cover for the first pan. This secondtray is so constructed that, when it is placed over the container havingthe ice cubes therein, the entire device is inverted, and a temperatureincreas- 50 ing medium applied to the walls of the comother.

to divide. the interior thereof into a in the individual compartmentsare so conpartment in the original container, the ice cubes on droppinout of their respective compartments wil rest on the second lid or tray,preferably in spaced relation to each Numerous advantageous features andthe objects of my invention maybe seen in the following description andone embodiment drawing w erein similar characters of re 0o erencedesignate corresponding parts and wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view, partly broken away, showing thecontainer in which a liquid is adapted to be disposed. prior tosolidification.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cover or lid for the containershown in Fi re 1.

igure 3 is a sectional view taken on .the line 33 of Figure 1 andshowing one of the individual compartments containing an ice cube. I

Fi ure 4 is a view similar to Figure 3"? showing the liquid container ininverted position with the structure shown in Figure 2 I disposedbeneath the container and alternperature increasing medium being appliedto the walls of the individual compartments of the liquid container.

In the drawing, I have shown one embodiment of my ice cube tray ascomprisin a plurality of cups or containers 1, dispose therein in spacedrelationshi The cups 1 are preferably disposed at uniform distances fromeach other, and are of the same general size and shape. The side walls 4of these cups 1 converge, meeting a common base portion 5 at an an Ie,the purpose of which will be hereina ter described. WM

It will be note'd' thateach cup 1 is bounded on all sides by a portioncontaining slits or slots 2. These openings 2 are not restricted as tosize, position, or number and may be disposed about the upper surface ofthe tray wherever desired.

Formed integrally with the outer edge of the upper's'urface of myicecube tray, and depending downwardly therefrom, is a skirt 3 which iscapable of supporting the tray in an upright position. ,This sk1rt 3 isof sufficient height to extend below the bottoms of the cups 1 andsupport them in a supported position with relation to any object uponwhich the tray may rest while in an upright position. 1

When In ice cube tray is inverted and a liquid applied thereto to'loosenthe cubes, theskirt 3 tends to partiall confine the li uid within itslimits and, ecause of its height, to cause the liquid to completelycover each cup.

I have shown in Figure 2 a member that Y has the same dimensions as theupper surface of my ice cube tray, which I shall term a cover or lid.This member is capable of holding the ice cube tray when said ice cubetray is inverted thereon. It maybe used as a lid, if so desired, duringa freezing operation.

I have shown the cover as comprisin a plurality of shallow cups orcontainers 7 disposed therein in spaced relationship.

The cups 7 are preferably of a relatively shallow nature, having the'same dimensions and are s aced uniformly within the cover.

The si e wall 9 of each on 7 meets a common'base portion 10 at rlghtangles. The width and breadth of this cup is aproximately the same asthe width and readth of the cup 1 at its uppermost limits,

. and is adapted to coincide therewith when inverted thereon.

These cu s 7 are connected by portions provided wlth slots or slits 8.These openings 8 are not restricted as to size, position or number andmay be disposed about the upper surface of the cover wherever deslred.It is preferable that each opening 8 be of the same dimensions, and paced so that when inverted on the ice cube tray, they will coincide withthe openings 2 of that member.v However, they1 may be larger.

It is apparent that eac of these two members maybe formed from one pieceof material or if desired, may be assembled from individual parts.

In the use of my device, I fill each individual cup 1 with the li uid tobe solidified and place the tray in t e sleeve provided in the ordinarytype of mechanical refrigerator. The cover may be placed thereon, if sodesired.

After the liquid is frozen I remove the tray and invert it on the lid asshown in Figure 4, or if the cover has been previously put in place, Isimply invert the device as a whole while holding the cover in place.

It will be noted that the ice 11 (Figure 3) when frozen does not assumethe shape of a true cube, but tapers slightly toward one 7 end.

My ice cube tray is now inverted on the cover and I pour a warm hquldinto the area surrounding the cups. The liquid drains off through theopenings 8 and 2 which now coinclde forming a as'sageway through which aliquid may readily pass (Figure 4).

The warm liquid raises the temperature of the sidewalls 4 of the cups 1and thereby release the ice cubes iii-contact with the side wallscausing them to drop into the cups 7 of the cover. It is apparent thatno liquid other than that generated by the melting action of the ice incontact with the side walls has come into direct contact with the ice,this bein a preferred condition.

The ice '11, w en it has broken contact with the walls of the cup 1 andhas started to vmove downwardly, -will not ordinarily contact with thewalls of the compartment thereafte because of the angle of said walls.

The ic cube tray is now lifted from the su port and each individual cubeis left in an upright position in a cup 7 of the cover. These cubes havenot been materially reduced in size and the loss of solid is negligible.

I believe that I am the first to appreciate that these ice cubes may bereleased from cells with so little resultant loss. It is within thebroad aspect of my invention to accomplish this by merely providing anindividual cell for each cube that may be completely covered by any warmliquid without contacting the liquid with the ice cube. A liquid may ormay not be used to release the ice. Warm air may be directed upon theexterior of the cu'ps or they may be allowed to stand in a normal roomtemperature. It

is understood that this may require a slight-' lybleonger period of timefor releasing the cu Havingthus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. An ice cube tray comprising a plurality of cells, connecting portionsbetween said cells, said connecting portions havi openings therein andthe walls of said cel s being exteriorly spaced apart and a skirt forsaid tra r 2 In an ice cube tray structure, the combination of a trayhaving a lurality of cells therein, and a cover for sai tray, said covercomprising indentations registering with said cells adapted to receiveand retain the cubes when they are'emptied from the said tray, saidindentations bein of substantially the same area as one end 0 saidcubes.

3. In an ice cube tray structure, the combination of a tra having aplurality of spaced cells therein, and a cover for said tray, said trayhaving a plurality of perforated connecting portions between the cellsand said cover being constructed to permit, the passage of water throughsuch 'perforaspaced cells therein, and a cover forsaid tray having aplurality of indentations therein,

said cells being connected by perforated portions and the indentedportions of said cover being separated by perforated ortions, the saidindentations being adapted to coincide with said cells and theperforated portions vin the cover being adapted to coincide with theperforated connecting portions of the tray.

5. A cover for a receptacle adapted to receive a liquid or a semi-solidmaterial for the purpose of solidifying said material therein comprisinga surface indented to signature.

receive and retain aritcles emptied there-' on when such articles areemptied thereon from a receptacle, the indentations in said cover beingseparated by. perforated portions.

6. A cover for ice cube trays comprising a surface indented to receiveand retain ice cubes in spaced relation when such cubes are emptiedthereon from a tray, the indented portions of said surface. being ofsubstantially the same area as one end of said cubes.

7. A cover for ice cube trays comprising a surface indented to receiveand retain ice cubes in spaced relation when such cubes are emptiedthereon from a tray, the indentations in said cover being separated byperforated portions.

8. An ice cube tray comprising a plurality of cells, connecting portlonsbetween saidcells, said connecting ortions having openings therein, anda s 'rt for said tray de-.

pending below the bases of said cells and elevatin said cells when saidtray is resting on said s irt. In testimony whereof I hereby afiix myEDWIN P. CORBETT.

